Self-serving food cabinet and cooler



June 11, J A. AL v SELF SERYING FOOD CABINET AND 000mm Filed June 25, 1928. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 74 3M5 zlilflird5uz 1g .1255 L. Showers abbo cwaw June 11, 19.29.

J. A. BIRDSONG ET AL 1.717.181

SELF SERVING FOOD CABINET AND COOLER Filed June 25, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I gnw'ntof I ZZA-fiif'dfiuifi I Jess L. Shavdefs tional view of Patented June 11, 1929.

JAMES A. BIRDSONG AND JESS SHOWERS, 0F VERNON, TEXAS.

SELF-SERVING roon CABINET AND )COOLER.

Application filed June 25,

This invention relates to improvements in combination cooler and display stands for vegetables or any other type of adaptable articles such as foods in general.

An object of this invention is to provide a cooler device which may be conveniently" used in connection with self serving stores or the like, wherein it is highly desirable to maintain the food in a proper condition at the same time located in open and convenient position easily. accessible.

A further object of this invention is to pro vide a self serving cooler for foods wherein the articles such as vegetables may be maintained in a proper moist and cooled condition by means of liquid sprays contacting with currents of air actuated by a fan or other suitable device.

A further object of this invention is to pro- Vide a cooling ,device particularly adapted for self serving food stores, lunch rooms, and the like, wherein moist cooled air is continually circulated'over and around the food iiia uniform manner, the complete device being of simple construction and inexpensive of manufacture.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description of the device, and as disclosed in the two sheets of drawings which are herewith made a part of this application.

In the drawings-- 'Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the self serving cooler disclosing the shelvingfor supporting the food, and the screened inlet for the air circulation.

- Figure 2 represents a sectional elevational view of the self serving cooler disclosing the air ducts and spray elements in operative re:

lationship, as taken along line 22 of F igure 4.

Figure 3 illustrates, a sectional plan view of the self serving);cabinet; and cooler taken along line 3-3 of Figure Figure 4: represents rear sectional elevathe device, disclosing particularly the spray members in tionship to the cooler.

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the center or intermediate vein for deflecting and guiding the air into the device.

In the device for preserving and displaying foods, according to this invention, it is preferred that numeral 1 designate the main body portion ofthe cabinet, which may be made of any suitable material such as sheet it is obvious operative rela- 1928. Serial No. 288,276.

iron, and adapted to be provided with a plurali'ty of shelves 2, for holding the foods in j displayed and accessible position.

The lower shelf 2 may extend outwardly a' desired distance from the main body portion of the cooler 1, as clearly disclosed in Figure 2, and it is preferred in this invention that the shelving project inwardly and downwardly of the cabinet in order to positively hold the vegetables most convenient manner, shaped members, as clearly designated by numerals 3. For this purpose upwardly and rearwardly extending wall members 4 are adapted to connect with the shelving 2 approximately at right angles thereto.

The cabinet 1 is provided with a lower ex,- tcnding portion 5 adapted to have outwardly supported thereon a detachable shelf member 6, which in turn is supported by suitable brackets 7.

Within the cabinet 1 and preferably in the rear thereof are located a specially constructed series'of auxiliary air ducts 8, 9, and 10, which are arranged in open communication with a main air'duct 11, .extendingdownwardly to a point below the'detach'able shelf 6, where a screened member 12 is provided at the location where the air may be admitted to the main air duct. i i

In order to assure a proper flow of air through the duct 11 and the auxiliary extensions 8, 9, and 10, a fan of any desirable type may be suitably located within the duct, preferably in the position 13, as clearly disclosed in Figure 2. With this arrangement that air may be forced through the duct 11 by means of the fan 13, and over the food or other articles which may be displayed upon the shelving 2.

In order to assure at all times a proper moist condition of the food, it is preferred in this invention to provide a liquid spray within the airduct 11, and extensions 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, leading therefrom, are fitted with suitable spray nozzles 20, 21, 22, 23,.and 24 for the purpose of supplying a liquid cooling spray which functions to mix thoroughly with the air, thereby supplying a molst and cooling medium for th the shelves 2.

As the forced air enters through the screen 12, it is deflected by means of suitably located vanes 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 to the various portions of the cabinet 1 thereby supplying a uniform cooling effect over the food Or other foods in the;

forming troughdisplayed food on liquid sprays on all of the shelves. The action of the in cooperation with the current of air, as clearly disclosed in Figure 2, wherein it is apparent that the lower portion 32 of the duct 11 is constructed in such a mannet that it will drain off the liquid after it has served the purpose of mixing with the air, and in order to expedite the proper disposal of theliquid a drain pipe 33 may be located in the lower portion of'the air duct 11, and the section 32 should be constructed in such a manner that the liquid will readily drain therefrom, at the same time the entering air may be cooled to some extent by contacting with the waste liquid as it accumulates in .the bottom of the air duct 11, thereby making a'ma'ximum use of the cooling liquid.

In operation this invention provides an e'fiicient self. serving cooling cabinet, whichis simple of construction, comprising pri- .marily a cabinet made of suitable material and containing shelving on which displayed foods may rest. A mixture of air and water is provided for uniform distribution over the food in order that it may retain its proper moist and fresh condition.

, This result is attained by means of a liquid supply pipe extending within the cabinet and having auxiliary lines leading therefrom for supplying a spray'which mixes with air T forced through an air. duct by means of a fan or othersuitable device. Any number of sprays, air ducts, and shelving may be provided. Although this invention is particularly adapted for the cooling and preserving of green-vegetables, yet it can be utilized efliciently in many other directions,

I such as self serving lunch rooms and the like.

v 7 What we'claim is;

r Itwill be understood that many changes and modifications may be made in'the form of embodiment of this invention within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

display cabinet and 1. In a self serving cooler for food, a main body portion, suit- I able shelving supported therein, a plurality of auxiliary air ducts arranged within the cabinet in open 0 mmunication with the shelves,

a main air ductin open communication with the auxiliary air ducts, means forproviding a liquid spray within the main air duct, means I for forcingthe air through the liquidcooling medium and uniformly over the food,

' 2.- In a self serving display cabinet and cooler for food, a mainbody portion, suitproviding a cooler for food, a main body portion, suitable shelving supported therein,a plurality of auxiliary air ducts arranged within the cabinet in open communication with, the shelves, a main air duct in open communication with the auxiliary air ducts, means for providing a liquid spray within the main air duct, means for forcing the air through the liquid cooling medium and uniformly over the food, means at the lower end of the mainair duct for draining the liquid therefrom. v

4. In a self serving display cabinet and cooler for food, a main body portion, suitable shelving supported therein, a plurality of auxiliary air ducts arranged within the cabinet in open communication with the shelves, a main air duct in open communication with the auxiliary air ducts, means for providing a liquid spray within the main air duct, means for forcing the air through the liquid cooling medium and uniformly over the food, suitable deflecting, vanes positioned in the. lower por.- tion of the air duct for uniformly distribut :iEngdtlie air through the spray and over the- 5. In a self serving display cabinet and cooler for food, a main body portion, suitable shelving supported therein, a plurality of auxiliary air ducts arranged within the cabinet inopen communication with the shelves, a main air duct in open communication with the auxiliary air ducts, means for providing a liquid spray within the main air duct, means for forcing the air through the liquid cooling medium and uniformly over the food, suitable deflecting vanes positionedin the lower portion of the air duct for uniformly distributing the air throughthe spray and over the food.

' In testimony whereof v ge ,aifix our signa-.

tures.

JAMES A. BIRDSONG. 

